Tricia Helfer to Headline Syfy’s Ascension

Syfy today announced that Tricia Helfer, who played the humanoid Cylon “Number Six” in the acclaimed “Battlestar Galactica” reboot, will star in the channels new original, six hour event series “Ascension.”

Helfer will play the beautiful, manipulative and dangerous “Viondra Denniger.” Viondra regards herself as a not-so-secret power broker aboard the Ascension. As the Captains wife, Viondra is afforded a position of power and privilege, which she leverages as the Ships Chief Steward.

In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Nearly 50 years into the journey, as they approach the point of no return, the mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship’s population to question the true nature of their mission.

“Ascension” is an original drama created and written by Philip Levens (“Smallville”) who will serve as Executive Producer and Showrunner. The series will be produced in Montreal, QC by Sea To Sky Studios in association with Blumhouse Productions. Jason Blum (“Stranded,” “The River”) and Mark Stern are Executive Producers on the project along with Ivan Fecan, Tim Gamble and Brett Burlock on behalf of Sea To Sky Studios. The event series will be co-financed and distributed by Universal Cable Productions and Lionsgate Television.

“Ascension” is slated to launch in November 2014 and air through December.